Espresso Machine Troubleshooting

Are you having issues with your Espresso machine? Wondering what’s wrong with your coffee machine?

With any number of problems that could arise, this simple guide could help you fix any number of issues that may arise should you happen to encounter them.

Although the problems and solutions provided relate 100% to Brasilia machines, almost all are also relevant to all other brands of traditional espresso machine available on the market.

Problem

Possible Cause

Solution

Stop button light on touchpad flashing

Water turned off at mains

Ensure water is turned on at mains supply.

Too much water drawn off at one time from the hot water tap

Power off machine via the on/off switch. Wait 10 seconds then turn to position 1 (on). Ensure the boiler fills by checking the water level gauge. If the stop lights flash on the touch pad repeat the procedure. When the boiler fill light goes out, turn the on/off switch to position 2 (element symbol) and wait 15-20 minutes for the machine to reach temperature (needle on right hand side of gauge in red band).

Unable to froth milk

Steam pressure is low or slow

Check boiler pressure is at 1.0 bar (needle on right hand side of gauge in red band).Check machine is switched to to position 2 (element symbol) on on/off switch.

Ensure machine is switched to to position 2 (element symbol). Wait 15-20 minutes for machine to reach temperature 1.0 bar (needle on right hand side of gauge in red band).

Filter holders not hot

Lock filter holders into brewing group heads and flush hot water through by pressing the jug button for 1 minute, press the stop button. Always leave the filter holders locked into brewing group heads after coffee has been made to maintain temperature.

Cold cups

Ensure pre-heated cups are always used.

Coffee dispenses too slowly

Blocked brewing group head

Use filter holder with blind filter basket and clean as per daily cleaning.

Too much coffee in filter holder

Check correct filter basket in filter holder. ie. single filter basket for one measure of coffee in single filter holder, double filter basket for two measures of coffee in double filter holder.

Check operating pump pressure is at 9 bar

Run water through brewing group head with the filter holder containing coffee and check needle on left hand side of gauge reads 9.0 bar (in blue band)

Grind set too fine

Change grinder setting.

Coffee in filter holder is over compressed (tamped)

Discard coffee from filter holder, replenish from grinder and tamp with correct pressure.

Coffee dispenses too quickly

Not enough coffee in filter holder

Check correct filter basket in filter holder. ie. single filter basket for one measure of coffee in single filter holder, double filter basket for two measures of coffee in double filter holder.

Grind set too coarse

Change grinder settings.

Coffee in filter holder is not compressed (tamped) enough

Discard coffee from filter holder, replenish from grinder and tamp with correct pressure.

Filter holder is difficult to load into brewing group head

Too much coffee on filter holder

Check correct filter basket in filter holder. ie. single filter basket for one measure of coffee in single filter holder, double filter basket for two measures of coffee in double filter holder.

Group gasket damaged

Gasket needs replacing. Call service helpline on 01977 687 580.

Coffee leaking from brewing group head / filter holder

Coffee build up on gasket

Use filter holder with blind filter basket and clean as per daily cleaning.

Lift off drip tray and clean out waste box and waste pipe. Remove any coffee deposits with a damp cloth, run hot water into the box until the flow is clear.

Boiler overflow

Turn on/off switch on machine to off position. Call our service helpline on 01977 687 580.

Leaking from back of machine

Boiler overflow

Turn on/off switch on machine to off position. Call our service helpline on 01977 687 580.

Incorrect coffee level in cup

Incorrect dose set on touchpad

Touchpad needs resetting. Call service helpline on 01977 687 580.

Incorrect button on touchpad selected

Check touchpad diagram to ensure correct use of buttons.

Please note that this guide has been reproduced with kind permission of Brasilia, renowned manufacturer of espresso machines.

For more information and advice on your machine and to organise service or repair info please contact Caffe Society on 01977 687580 or fill in a simple form here and we will get back to you as soon as possible.